Storyline

The Devil's Crown was a BBC limited series which dramatised the reigns of three medieval Kings of England: Henry II and his sons Richard the Lionheart and John.

First Aired

1978-04-30
Last Aired

1978-07-23
Creator

Alan Cooke
Genre

Drama
Seasons

1
Episodes

13
Status

Ended
Language

English
Network

BBC One

Keywords:

richard the lionheart medieval king of england british monarchy 12th century

Stream and watch The Devil's Crown

Season 1

1. If All The World Were Mine

Legend has it that the Plantagenets were descended from the Devil himself - a curse which does not det...More

Legend has it that the Plantagenets were descended from the Devil himself - a curse which does not deter the youthful Henry.Less

55mins 1978-04-30

2. The Earth Is Not Enough

Henry, with the Devil's luck, has married Eleanor of Aquitaine. The crown of England is also his - and...More

Henry, with the Devil's luck, has married Eleanor of Aquitaine. The crown of England is also his - and now begins his fateful friendship with Thomas Becket.Less

55mins 1978-05-07

3. A Rose, A Thorn

As the friendship grows between Henry and Becket, so does the Queen's mistrust of them both. And then ...More

As the friendship grows between Henry and Becket, so does the Queen's mistrust of them both. And then appears another threat - this time to her marriage.Less

55mins 1978-05-14

4. The Hungry Falcons

The quarrel between Henry and Becket has culminated in Becket's murder; and when Eleanor leaves Henry ...More

The quarrel between Henry and Becket has culminated in Becket's murder; and when Eleanor leaves Henry to establish her own court at Poitiers, the deserted king turns to his sons for love and support.Less

55mins 1978-05-21

5. Before The Dark

With Eleanor imprisoned at Salisbury and his sons plotting rebellion at Louis' court in Paris, Henry f...More

With Eleanor imprisoned at Salisbury and his sons plotting rebellion at Louis' court in Paris, Henry finds comfort in the arms of Alys - but Alys is Richard's young bride-to-be.Less

55mins 1978-05-28

6. Richard Yea And Nay

King Henry is dead - defeated, deserted. Long live King Richard, the glorious, golden Crusader.

King Henry is dead - defeated, deserted. Long live King Richard, the glorious, golden Crusader.Less

55mins 1978-06-04

7. Lion Of Christendom

Inspired by Richard, his army moves south to the Holy Land for a new crusade. Eleanor has also journey...More

Inspired by Richard, his army moves south to the Holy Land for a new crusade. Eleanor has also journeyed south; her concern however, is not so much for souls, but to find a bride for Richard.Less

55mins 1978-06-11

8. When Cage-Birds Sing

Richard Coeur de Lion has married Berengaria of Navarre . . . but his Crusade has failed. Embittered, ...More

Richard Coeur de Lion has married Berengaria of Navarre . . . but his Crusade has failed. Embittered, disillusioned, he turns his back on the Holy Land and begins the dangerous journey home.Less

55mins 1978-06-18

9. Bolt From The Blue

Released from captivity, Richard Is once more crowned King of England. Imprisonment has sapped both hi...More

Released from captivity, Richard Is once more crowned King of England. Imprisonment has sapped both his vigour and his strength but, when war breaks out again in the Holy Land, he sees this as his long-awaited chance of glory - and so begins his final journey.Less

55mins 1978-06-25

10. In Sun's Eclipse

A chance arrow has extinguished the glory that was Richard. John, at last, is King of England - but hi...More

A chance arrow has extinguished the glory that was Richard. John, at last, is King of England - but his right to that crown is quickly challenged by his nephew, Arthur of Brittany.Less

55mins 1978-07-02

11. The Flowers Are Silent

John's impulsive marriage to the 12-year-old Isabella of Angouleme has brought rebellion in its wake, ...More

John's impulsive marriage to the 12-year-old Isabella of Angouleme has brought rebellion in its wake, Arthur, attempting to kidnap Queen Eleanor, has been captured by John. His sentence is mutilation.Less

55mins 1978-07-09

12. Tainted King

The aged Queen Eleanor has died, John's murder of his nephew has caused the barons to desert him, his ...More

The aged Queen Eleanor has died, John's murder of his nephew has caused the barons to desert him, his French lands are lost. Only Isabella remains and his right to choose the next Archbishop of Canterbury.Less